In 2017, a total of 376 individuals / 108 households signed the Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF) and were awaiting FVR. Out of this number, 247 individuals were processed by the GOUM/RTG in July 2017, while 129 individuals were submitted in early November By December, authorization had still not been given to return. However, the establishment of state-level return and resettlement committees in MYA, in addition to return committees set up by refugee committees and Non-State Actors in Thailand, highlighted that on-going preparations and planning for return were well underway, despite the delays. Further, a total of 12 Go and See Visits by refugee representatives, half of which were supported by UNHCR, contributed to cross-border dialogue on a variety of return locations, while contributing to the decision-making of refugee camp residents.
2017 saw a significant increase in outreach in the camps on FVR by UNHCR and its partners, including IOM and Handicap International. A total of 12,746 refugees were reached through FVR outreach activities, including 11,355 through information sessions, and 1,391 through focus group discussions. Findings from an outreach assessment conducted at the end of the year revealed that camp residents now have a much better understanding of FVR, including the principles, assistance package and process. In addition, a total of 609 stakeholders were reached through FVR workshops/seminars, and over 80 meetings were held on FVR. The following products were produced in 2017: 2 return stories; 194 village profiles; 15 editions of the Media Monitoring Report; bi-monthly camp profiles for the 9 camps; and monthly population and resettlement dashboards. Refugees and other stakeholders also continued to access the Cross-border Web Portal and the UNHCR Facebook page.
Internally, monthly calls across the 4 Field Offices continued to ensure coordination on FVR-related activities. Furthermore, a reporting template was introduced during the year which helped improve reporting of FVR-related activities.
Externally, UNHCR continued its coordination with a wide range of stakeholders around FVR in several ways. First, UNHCR supported/participated in three stakeholder meetings organized by CBOs, and held 6 meetings with refugee committees on return planning. Second, on-going advocacy with RTG entities continued through an annual retreat in addition to a meeting which focused on the challenges of educational access for refugee children upon return. Third, UNHCR Thailand continued to closely collaborate with UNHCR MYA offices, concentrating on enhancing the networking and capacity building of protection actors on both sides of the border. A total of five jointly organized meetings/trainings resulted in more information exchange on protection conditions in MYA, including an internal cross-border meeting; the Myanmar Protection Network mission in April; the Stakeholders meeting in July; and two meetings/trainings on Myanmar civil documentation, including ADRA, ACTED, and IRC. Finally, UNHCR continued its close collaboration with donors, convening a meeting of the Donor Humanitarian Agencies (DHA) Working Group in February.
During the year, some notable gains were made in the education sector, including an advocacy meeting with the RTG in February; the joint development with UNHCR MYA of an FAQ on education for refugees; a joint UNHCR/JRS consultation with a Karenni education CBO, and direct support for higher education return planning.
In terms of strengthening procedures, a UNHCR-IOM FVR Standard Operating Procedure was elaborated with IOM based on the lessons from the first return in 2016, and referral procedures were also agreed upon with health partners. In addition, Visibility Guidelines were drafted to support better management of visibility during the next FVR movement.